Smith spent part of last season with the Detroit Pistons, before being waived and later signed by the Rockets.

He was instrumental for Houston’s success during the playoffs, averaging 13.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists on 43.8 percent shooting from the field.

Teammate James Harden told the Houston Chronicle he wants everyone from last season including Smith to return, however, the re-signings of Patrick Beverley and Corey Brewer could make it too difficult to do so.

The Sacramento Kings have also shown interest in Smith after missing out on Monta Ellis and Wesley Matthews, but it’s unclear if Smith really wants to join a franchise that’s out of title contention.

Follow Evan Caulfield on Twitter @fieldhoops for live updates and content on all things NBA.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/report-clippers-pursuing-free-agent-josh-smith/feed/0Report: Warriors, Celtics Trade David Lee for Gerald Wallacehttp://www.hoopsscoop.com/report-warriors-celtics-trade-david-lee-for-gerald-wallace/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/report-warriors-celtics-trade-david-lee-for-gerald-wallace/#respondTue, 07 Jul 2015 19:17:26 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=2289The Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics have agreed to swap veterans David Lee and Gerald Wallace, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. ESPN sources say that the Celtics have agreed to send Gerald Wallace to the Warriors for David Lee — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 7, 2015 The Warriors were trying to trade David […]

Follow me on Twitter @fieldhoops for live updates and coverage on all things NBA.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/report-aaron-brooks-chicago-bulls-agree-to-deal/feed/0Why the NBA Playoff System Needs to be Fixedhttp://www.hoopsscoop.com/nba-playoff-system-needs-serious-reconstruction/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/nba-playoff-system-needs-serious-reconstruction/#respondWed, 29 Apr 2015 04:00:47 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=1922It’s no secret that the NBA playoff system has been a complete mess, allowing lousy Eastern Conference teams into the playoffs and quality Western Conference teams out of contention. Take this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs after falling one game short to the New Orleans Pelicans. Theoretically, if the Thunder were in the Eastern […]

]]>It’s no secret that the NBA playoff system has been a complete mess, allowing lousy Eastern Conference teams into the playoffs and quality Western Conference teams out of contention.

Take this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs after falling one game short to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Theoretically, if the Thunder were in the Eastern Conference, they would have been ahead of the Bucks, Celtics and Nets for 6th place in the East.

What’s worse is that last year wasn’t any better.

Like the Thunder, the Phoenix Suns theoretically would have placed 3rd or 4th in the East, having an equal record to the Bulls and Raptors, and a better record than the Wizards, Nets, Hornets and Hawks (all playoff teams).

In fact, for the past 19 seasons, the top 16 teams with the best records have only reached the playoffs five times.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver met with the board of governors last year to discuss fixing the current playoff system, but unfortunately no progress was made.

“What’s come up is whether we should be reseeding the playoff teams, whether we should have a different process for selecting those teams that do make the playoffs,” Silver said. “The sense of the room was that certainly no one was advocating a particular change at this time. It was more of a suggestion.”

One of the proposed ideas was to pick the 16 best teams to compete in the playoffs, instead of allowing the 8 best teams in each conference to advance.

The problem is, this new format would eliminate the need to even have two conferences, stopping annual events like the NBA All-Star game.

It’s also important to note that this would cause the current division system to become null and void, which awards division winners a top 4 seed, even if their records weren’t as good as other playoff teams.

An example of how broken the division system is came into question this season when the Portland Trailblazers finished fourth in the West, despite the Grizzlies and Spurs having better records this season.

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers told ESPN Los Angeles that it’s clear the current playoff system is flawed, especially when it comes to the current division format.

“I think the divisions are important,” Rivers said. “They’re nice to be celebrated, for some and some not, but I don’t know if they should be celebrated as far as in the standings. I think it’s something that the league will absolutely look at and try to fix. You shouldn’t be rewarded if your record isn’t as good as others.”

So far there’s yet to be a solution that would balance out the playoffs and create fairness all across the league.

Commissioner Adam Silver stated there’s a possibility for change, but for now he intends on keeping the current playoff system intact.

“The league is doing so well right now, I just want to be very deliberate and cautious about any major changes like that,” Silver said. “It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t make changes, and of course like any organization we should and we will. … It’s just the beginning of the process right now.”

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/nba-playoff-system-needs-serious-reconstruction/feed/0Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Targets for Week 11http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-11/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-11/#respondSun, 04 Jan 2015 23:00:06 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=2241Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a great holiday break and enjoyed some time with their families, as well as remained competitive in their fantasy basketball leagues. Last week, I recommended a pair of big men on the waiver wire (Alex Len, Ed Davis, Cole Aldrich) and for the most part, it had great results, providing plenty of […]

Hope everyone had a great holiday break and enjoyed some time with their families, as well as remained competitive in their fantasy basketball leagues.

Last week, I recommended a pair of big men on the waiver wire (Alex Len, Ed Davis, Cole Aldrich) and for the most part, it had great results, providing plenty of high percentage scoring, blocks and rebounding.

In this week’s edition, I have two new promising big men and a streaky three point shooter waiting to be claimed on the wire, all of which could help your team out tremendously if your looking for that extra kick.

Jusuf Nurkic, C (11% Owned)

With the Nuggets literally jammed with depth at every position, it was tough for Jusuf Nurkic to see consistent minutes in coach Brian Shaw’s rotation, given his rookie status and the amount veterans manning the same position.

Lo and behold, Nurkic is finally getting an opportunity to prove his worth to Shaw, and has done wonders in the early going, holding averages of 12.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks over his last 3 games.

Inconsistency might be an issue for potential owners since Shaw is known to mix up rotations on any given night, but with Denver losing as badly as it has, Nurkic has a chance to earn steady minutes and curve out a permanent role, if he continues to impress the organization.

Jared Dudley, SG/SF (24% Owned)

Much like Nurkic, Jared Dudley’s minutes have been anything but consistent all season long, since the Bucks have an array of options both at the forward and guard spots.

Sometimes Dudley can see upwards of 30 minutes a night, while in others he barely registers above 20. In all honesty, it really boils down to who head coach Jason Kidd wants to play the most in any particular game.

With all of that in mind, Dudley could be a solid option if you’re in need of three point shooting, scoring and some surprisingly solid rebounding numbers.

Since December 18th, he has averaged roughly 14 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals on 58.9% shooting, not to mention, he’s converting on a ridiculous 56.7 percent of his three point attempts.

Just remember, he could still be a DUD on any given night, so monitor him closely… (Okay that was probably the worst pun ever.)

Zaza Pachulia, C (9% Owned)

Joining Dudley in this week’s cast of waiver wire targets from Milwaukee is backup big man Zaza Pachulia, who continues to steal plenty of minutes from fellow teammate Larry Sanders.

For owners of Sanders, it’s an absolute headache, since he’s been a total disappointment and doesn’t appear likely to earn the trust of head coach Jason Kidd anytime soon.

However, for the select few who own Pachulia, it’s been a total blessing in disguise, since he continues to benefit at his expense and provides great value in all league formats.

Over the last 2 weeks, he’s averaged 10.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists, while shooting 51% from the floor and 87.5% from the charity stripe.

Follow me on Twitter @fieldhoops if you’re in need of any fantasy basketball advice or want to talk about anything basketball related.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-11/feed/0Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Targets for Week 10http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-10/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-10/#respondMon, 29 Dec 2014 16:41:48 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=2231Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of waiver wire targets. We’ve officially hit the halfway point of the fantasy basketball season, meaning the battle to clinch a playoff spot will only continue to get more competitive as the weeks pass. Whether you’re near the top of the standings or fighting to sneak in, there’s still plenty of […]

We’ve officially hit the halfway point of the fantasy basketball season, meaning the battle to clinch a playoff spot will only continue to get more competitive as the weeks pass.

Whether you’re near the top of the standings or fighting to sneak in, there’s still plenty of hidden gems on the waiver wire that could increase your chances of securing that beloved postseason berth.

Ed Davis, PF/C (24% Owned)

Over the last 6 games Ed Davis has been an absolute beast for the Lakers, averaging 12.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks on an incredibly efficient 68.2 percent shooting.

Could it simply be because Kobe Bryant was sidelined with an injury for nearly half of those games? Maybe.

But it’s worth noting he still managed to average close to those numbers even with the ‘Black Mamba’ in the lineup, proving this hot streak might not be a fluke after all.

Regardless of the skepticism, he’s worth a shot in all leagues and should be a great asset for your fantasy team if he continues to put up these stellar numbers.

Alex Len, C (19% Owned)

After months of battling Miles Plumlee for minutes, Alex Len finally secured the starting job at center and has done wonders in the early going, averaging 9.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and a whopping 2.8 blocks on 55 percent shooting.

With that kind of statline, it’s clear Len will more than likely remain in the starting lineup, especially since Plumlee has continued to struggle all season long.

Go ahead and nab Len off the wire before someone else does, because he screams nothing but upside and could do wonders for your squad if you need more blocks, rebounds and efficiency on your roster.

Cole Aldrich, C (5% Owned)

Who knew this would be the season Cole Aldrich would suddenly break out?

We’re talking about a player that’s been in the league for 5 years, and hadn’t been able to showcase that much promise during stints with the Thunder, Rockets and Knicks… that is, up until this season.

During his last 6 games he’s averaged 11.3 points and 8 rebounds, most notably grabbing a career-high 19 boards on Sunday night against the Portland Trailblazers.

It’s really a mystery if he’ll actually keep up this stellar production, but he’s worth a shot in all leagues if you’re desperately in need of help and have nothing to lose.

Follow me on Twitter @fieldhoops if you’re in need of any fantasy basketball advice or want to talk about anything basketball related.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-10/feed/0Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Targets for Week 9http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-9/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-9/#respondTue, 23 Dec 2014 01:21:09 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=2218Welcome to week 9 of fantasy basketball! Hopefully your team has done fairly successful through what’s close to being the half-way point of the season. If not, there’s still plenty of talent available on the open market. Whether you’re in need of a versatile big man or a streaky scorer, I’ve got you covered with this week’s addition of […]

Hopefully your team has done fairly successful through what’s close to being the half-way point of the season. If not, there’s still plenty of talent available on the open market. Whether you’re in need of a versatile big man or a streaky scorer, I’ve got you covered with this week’s addition of fantasy basketball waiver wire targets.

C.J. Miles, SG/SF (16% Owned)

C.J. Miles has been an absolute monster for the Pacers ever since he returned from a knee injury, averaging a team-high 20.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1 steal on 44.8 percent shooting over his last 4 games.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise since Miles has always been more of a streaky scorer throughout his career, but with George Hill and C.J. Watson still sidelined with injuries, there’s a chance he could keep actually keep this up.

Right now he’s considered more of a short term option in standard leagues, however, you should at least keep an eye on him to see if he can evolve into a consistent threat for this heavily depleted Pacers offense.

Gerald Henderson, SG/SF (7% Owned)

With Lance Stephenson out until at least Christmas, Gerald Henderson has stepped up big time for the highly disappointing and struggling Charlotte Hornets, averaging 14 points and 4 assists on 56 percent shooting through 2 games.

It’s clearly a short sample size, but all signs indicate that Henderson could post similar numbers to what he did last season, as long as he remains in the starting lineup and receives consistent minutes from head coach Steve Clifford.

Like Miles, Henderson is more of a short term option, so it’s best to hurry up and nab him off the wire before his production goes back to being useless in at least standard leagues.

Kyle O’Quinn, PF/C (11% Owned)

Kyle O’Quinn isn’t the type of player that will supply you with large scoring numbers, rather, it’s his ability to produce in numerous categories that’s made him so valuable as of late.

Over his last 3 games, he’s averaged 8.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.6 blocks and even chipped in 2 three pointers, not to mention, he was even placed in the starting lineup against the Sixers on Sunday night.

For all we know, this very well could have been an experiment by head coach Jacque Vaughn, but regardless, he’s a guy you should own if you need plenty of production all across the board and potential upside if he does wind up keeping the starting job.

Follow me on Twitter @fieldhoops if you’re in need of any fantasy basketball advice or want to talk about anything basketball related.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-9/feed/0Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Targets for Week 8http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-8/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-8/#respondTue, 16 Dec 2014 02:06:40 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=2208As we enter week 8 of fantasy basketball, there’s a wide range of players on the waiver wire that could help you out if you’re in dire need of production. From big men, to lethal scorers, to promising sophomores on the rise, checkout this week’s edition of waiver wire targets. Jodie Meeks, SG (20% Owned) After being […]

]]>As we enter week 8 of fantasy basketball, there’s a wide range of players on the waiver wire that could help you out if you’re in dire need of production. From big men, to lethal scorers, to promising sophomores on the rise, checkout this week’s edition of waiver wire targets.

Jodie Meeks, SG (20% Owned)

After being sidelined for nearly 2 months with a back injury, Jodie Meeks has finally re-joined the Pistons and is beginning to shake off some rust.

In his debut against the Suns, he totaled 12 points on 4-4 shooting, along with 1 steal and 1 assist. He followed that up against the Kings with 6 points on 2-9 shooting and 6 steals.

With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope still starting, owners may have to take the wait and see approach with Meeks to figure out when he’s bound to get big minutes.

However, if you desperately need points and three point shooting, it’s not a bad idea to nab Meeks off the wire before someone else does.

Rudy Gobert, C (21% Owned)

With Derrick Favors out with an ankle injury, Rudy Gobert has been elevated from seldom used bench warmer to full-fledged starter in what seems like an instant.

On Friday the French native totaled 9 points, a season-high 11 rebounds, a career-high 4 assists and a career-high 5 blocks in just 26 minutes off the bench.

He drew the starting job 2 nights later against the Wizards, finishing with the same numbers in the same exact time frame.

Derrick Favors should be back sooner than later since he’s listed day-to-day, but in the meantime, reap the benefits of Gobert if you’re in need of a big man that can stuff the stat sheet.

Shabazz Muhammad, SF (9% Owned)

Injuries have finally given Shabazz Muhammad a chance to prove what he’s capable of doing in big minutes and boy has he stepped up.

On Friday against the Thunder he finished with 18 points on 6-13 shooting. He then followed it up with 28 points and 9 rebounds against the Lakers in 27 minutes.

Typically Muhammad won’t provide much more than scoring and can be inconsistent with his minutes, but if you’re needing more points in a deep league he’s a great guy to own.

Follow me on Twitter @fieldhoops if you’re in need of any fantasy basketball advice or want to talk about anything basketball related.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/fantasy-basketball-waiver-wire-targets-week-8/feed/0Who Will Start at Point Guard for the Dallas Mavericks?http://www.hoopsscoop.com/will-start-point-guard-dallas-mavericks/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/will-start-point-guard-dallas-mavericks/#respondSun, 21 Sep 2014 17:51:16 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=2169It’s been quite a while since the Dallas Mavericks had a relatively successful summer. Management may have not been able to convince stars like Carmelo Anthony or Chris Bosh to join the team, however, their roster has surely improved when compared to last season. First it was the return of center Tyson Chandler and the addition of Rayond […]

]]>It’s been quite a while since the Dallas Mavericks had a relatively successful summer.

Management may have not been able to convince stars like Carmelo Anthony or Chris Bosh to join the team, however, their roster has surely improved when compared to last season.

First it was the return of center Tyson Chandler and the addition of Rayond Felton, who were acquired in a trade with the New York Knicks a day before the draft.

Then, Dallas pulled off one of the biggest heists of the offseason, signing restricted free agent Chandler Parsons of the Houston Rockets to a three-year, $46 million contract.

Throw in the signings of Jameer Nelson, Richard Jefferson, Al-Farouq Aminu and Ivan Johnson, and there’s no doubt this newly assembled Mavericks team is the best we’ve seen since the 2011-2012 championship squad.

So far almost every position in the starting lineup can be projected, as guys like Chandler Parsons, Tyson Chandler, Monta Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki are shoe ins to get heavy minutes.

However one spot that still remains up for grabs is the point guard position.

Jameer Nelson, Raymond Felton and Devin Harris are all worthy candidates, but which player would be the ideal choice to start from day 1 for head coach Rick Carlisle?

Making the Case for Raymond Felton

Guessing what kind of Raymond Felton we’ll see this season is as easy as predicting when Leonardo DiCaprio will win an Academy Award.

Part of me wants to believe Felton will return to his old 2012-2013 form, where he averaged 13.9 points, 5.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game. However, it’s also hard to forget how awful he played last season, where he finished the year with career lows in points, steals and a 2nd worst mark in assists.

If Felton can remain focused and get himself into ideal basketball shape, there’s no doubt he has a chance to steal the starting role from Nelson or Harris.

However if he’s unsuccessful in doing so, he could just as easily wind up becoming the third string point guard and find himself buried on the bench for the first time in his career.

Making the Case for Jameer Nelson

Jameer Nelson may not be the All-Star caliber player he once was back in 2009, but he’s still proven to be a more than serviceable option.

Last season, the 10-year veteran posted averages of 12.1 points and 7 assists on 39.4 percent shooting, starting a total of 68 games and playing roughly 32 minutes a night for the Orlando Magic.

The one facet of Nelson’s game that sticks out immediately when you watch him play is his offensive prowess, often utilizing pick and roll sets to his advantage and finding numerous ways to score from behind the perimeter.

In fact, according to NBA.com, the Magic posted an offensive rating of 102.0 when Nelson was on the floor, which is about 6 points better when compared to their team average of 96.1.

Defensively, Nelson struggled to remain as effective, causing the team’s defensive rating to dip to an abysmal 108.6 when he stepped onto the court, however, it’s worth noting he did register about a half a steal per game last season.

Making the Case for Devin Harris

Since joining the Mavericks last season, Devin Harris has done an excellent job serving as the team’s go-to backup, possessing the ability to play either guard position and adding a much needed scoring punch off the bench.

Up to this point, it appears Harris is slated to play a similar reserve role, telling Sirius XM NBA Radio that he believes head coach Rick Carlisle will have him come off the bench, however he didn’t rule out the possibility of starting:

In short sample sizes Harris was phenomenal last year, increasing the Mavs offensive rating from 107.2 to 115.8, while also lowering their defensive rating from 106.3 to 104.6 when he was on the floor according to NBA.com.

His long track record of injuries may cause head coach Rick Carlisle to be hesitant about starting him full time, but if he’s 100% healthy and just as sharp as last season, there’s still a good chance he can earn the role.

The Verdict: Jameer Nelson

Choosing between these three floor generals was no easy task.

In Raymond Felton, you have a seasoned veteran that could potentially have another bounce back season.

There’s also the possibility that Devin Harris could shake off the injury bug and prove he’s still fully capable of logging starter’s minutes.

But it’s Jameer Nelson’s consistency and scoring ability that convinced me to give him the edge.

Last season, Dallas relied heavily on a perimeter oriented offense, scoring 25.2% of their points from long range and ranking 2nd in three point field goal percentage according to NBA.com.

With Jose Calderon heading for New York, this team desperately needs a floor general that can both orchestrate an offense and knock down long distance shots efficiently.

Hence the acquisition of Jameer Nelson.

Not only is Nelson the best three point shooter of the bunch, but he’s also evolved into a superb playmaker, averaging 7 assists per game and holding an assist percentage of 34.1 (11th out of all starting point guards).

Pairing him with Monta Ellis would allow the team’s backcourt to flourish offensively much like last year, giving Ellis more space to attack the basket and causing opposing defenses to stretch out even more.

Of course, defense will be the one area this duo is bound to struggle with, but bringing in Harris off the bench is an easy solution to that problem and should balance out the backcourt’s defense when need be.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/will-start-point-guard-dallas-mavericks/feed/0Up and Coming NBA Players Primed for Contract Extensionshttp://www.hoopsscoop.com/up-and-coming-nba-players-contract-extensions/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/up-and-coming-nba-players-contract-extensions/#respondThu, 11 Sep 2014 00:39:13 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=2156Every season is a chance for young NBA players to prove their value on the open market. It allows their respective team to project how much long term potential they have to offer, as well as what type of salary they deserve when compared to other contracts throughout the league. This year, there’s a whopping amount of up-and-coming players that […]

]]>Every season is a chance for young NBA players to prove their value on the open market.

It allows their respective team to project how much long term potential they have to offer, as well as what type of salary they deserve when compared to other contracts throughout the league.

This year, there’s a whopping amount of up-and-coming players that could wind up signing contract extensions early, which would prevent them from becoming restricted free agents in the summer.

So with about 10 weeks left until the start of the regular season and the annual extension deadline, here’s a list of players that could be locked in to long term deals relatively soon.

(Just as a side note, those who qualified for this list were under the age of 25 and have yet to make an All-Star appearance)

Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic

Nikola Vucevic has slowly but surely earned a reputation as one of the more consistent young centers in the league, averaging a double-double for the last 2 seasons and becoming a more than suitable replacement for ex-Magic center Dwight Howard.

According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, both the Magic and Vucevic have shown interest in agreeing to a long term deal, and are expected to begin negotiations in early September.

“The Orlando Magic likely will begin talking with Nik Vucevic’s representatives about a potential contract extension for the 23-year-old center around Labor Day, according to an industry source familiar with team officials’ thinking.”

With centers like Roy Hibbert, Joakim Noah and DeAndre Jordan earning $11-15 million a year, expect Vucevic to ink a similar deal, given his stat line and relatively young age.

Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Despite the fact that the shooting guard position has slowly dwindled over the last few years, Klay Thompson has become one of the few bright spots at the position, averaging 18.4 points per game last season and evolving into a force on the defensive end as well.

This alone is exactly why Thompson’s agent Bill Duffy is seeking a max contract extension from the Warriors, according to USA Today:

Thompson’s agent, Bill Duffy, has been seeking a max deal in extension talks with the Warriors as well. And while Golden State would surely prefer that the stance eventually softens and leads to a more palatable deal, the fact that he is younger means a max for Thompson would start at $15.7 million

It’s fair to see why Thompson wants a max deal, especially since other guards like Eric Gordon and Gordon Hayward were able to ink similar deals. The key to getting this extension done will be whether or not the Warrior’s brass is willing to shell out a max contract this early.

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

It’s tough to gauge what type of deal the Spurs would be willing to give to Kawhi Leonard, as he’s shown both glimpses of stardom and mediocrity throughout his 3 year career.

Much of that inconsistency can be attributed to the fact that Leonard is playing with legends like Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli and Tim Duncan, however it’s still questionable if he truly has what it takes to be the go-to guy on offense.

So far Leonard’s agent Michael Siegel has remained confident that he can convince the Spurs to sign him to a max contract, the problem is, cap restraints may hold the team back from offering that large of a deal.

“Simply put, an extension guarantees the Spurs five years of Leonard but takes them out of the run for the top free agents they would need if they hope to replace the production of Duncan and Ginobili.”

Now it’s up to the Spurs and Leonard to come up with a solution to this issue, however, I’ve still got a feeling San Antonio won’t risk losing him as a restricted free agent.

Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets

Kenneth Faried has been a surprisingly productive player ever since he joined the Nuggets back in 2011, holding career averages of 12.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

Now with Faried’s rookie contract set to expire after this season, the team is hoping to sign the power forward to a contract extension before the deadline, according to Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post:

The Nuggets plan to make Kenneth Faried a long-term fixture of their future by opening contract extension talks with the power forward and his agent, Thad Foucher, this summer.

“We’ll talk to his representation,” Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly told the Post. ” I think Kenneth is happy here. I think he’s really embraced what (Coach) Brian (Shaw) is trying to instill. Those are the type of guys that deserve to get paid.”

It’s unclear how much management will shell out to keep Faried in Denver, but you have to believe they’ll do everything in their power, especially if their long term goal is to remain in the playoff hunt for the foreseeable future.